Launching on Google Play for Android users recently (LINK) and iOS today (LINK), the new Ben’s Bargains mobile app incorporates all the account functionality found on the main site in a compact, speedy package with more features than our mobile Web version of Ben’s.

The core new feature in the app is mobile notifications. When you set a deal alert on a specific product, we will send you a mobile notification the second that it’s posted on the site (assuming you toggle notifications on). This way, you won’t miss out the next time we post deals that sell out in less than an hour.

Tied to your Ben’s profile, you can manage preferences including Deal Alerts you’ve set on specific products, products that you have set as favorites over time and products that you have recently viewed (either on the Web version of Ben’s or the mobile version).

Similar to the main site, you have the ability to filter products by categories, stores and price range. You can also use the quick filters at the top of the app to see the latest deals, the hottest deals and your recently viewed deals.

We’ve also includes easy icons to trigger specific events. Tapping the bell icon will set a Deal Alert on the product (and tapping it again will turn it off). The same goes for the heart icon, which triggers the favorite function.

We also have a share icon on the deal page that allows you to share to Facebook, Twitter or via email. Also similar to the main site, you can visit the deal page within the app to make comments as well as vote on comments left by others.

The Google Play version is compatible with Jelly Bean and higher (Android version 4.0.3 and up). Our iOS version for Apple devices is compatible with iOS version 7.0 or higher.

Ben’s App on Google Play –  Ben’s App on iTunes

You can check out pictures of both versions of the app below:

Android App Photos:

iOS App Photos:

Introducing the new Ben’s Bargains mobile app

If you haven’t heard, the insanely popular (and difficult) iPhone and Android mobile game Flappy Bird has been removed from both the App Store and Google Play store as of yesterday. The developer of the game, Nguyen Ha Dong, told his 138K Twitter followers that he couldn’t handle the success of the game and hated that it ruined his simple lifestyle. According to many reports on Dong’s success, he was making as much as $50,000 a day in advertising revenue.

However, there were a number of contributing factors that led to the downfall of that little pixelated bird. For instance:

• Flappy Bird’s sudden burst in downloads during November 2013 (along with other titles developed by Dong’s .GEARS Studios) was suspicious and possibly the work of bots. This is a tactic used be some unscrupulous developers that attempt to game the system. For instance, if their app starts appearing in the Top 50 download charts, that only leads to more downloads. Prior to November, Flappy Bird was a fairly unsuccessful title. You can read a full account of this hypothesis here.
• Media picked up on the blog post above and spent the last week hounding Dong on Twitter for answers. He attempted to ignore the attention, but this only increased pressure from the press. When he did respond, his tweets displayed annoyance and frustration.
• According to Dong’s friends, he had received a warning letter from Nintendo recently due to the extreme similarities of Flappy Bird and Super Mario Brothers when it came to the design of the green pipes in the game. While representatives for the Big N claim they aren’t drawing up a lawsuit at this time, it’s likely that the letter encouraged Dong to remove the game from the App Store and Google Play store. Dong had also previously received letters from other developers claiming that their ideas were stolen, but likely no one as big as Nintendo.

We suppose Dong will spend his nights crying about the demise of Flappy Bird and wipe away his tears with $100 bills. However, you don’t have to stop playing. While we certainly don’t recommend purchasing an iPhone 5S with Flappy Bird installed for $2,000 on eBay, there are a few other alternatives looking to take the place of the Flapster. They include:

• Flappy Doge: Quite possibly the greatest amalgamation on the Internet, Flappy Bird has been combined with the wonderful Doge meme. You can play this flash game for free on your desktop computer here.
• Ironpants: (iOS / Android) Basically the same exact concept as Flappy Bird, just swap out the bird for a superhero named Ironpants. It’s free, but laden with advertisements.
• Flappy Bee: (iOS / Android) Again, offering a similar concept to FB, but using a bee instead of a bird. Obstacles are more plentiful in this game. Also free.
• Impossible Road: (iOS) Rated highly by iOS players, Impossible Road will remind you of marble madness. Not really a direct competitor to Flappy Bird, but just as difficult.

The demise of Flappy Bird…Here’s how you can keep playing!

Without much fanfare, Apple has quietly announced a promotion that discounts ten popular apps down to $0.00, likely through the App Store’s birthday on July 10, 2013. In addition, some other developers are getting in on the action by discounting their apps down to zero as well.

We have included a full list with links for your perusal. Check out the selection of free apps below:

App Store Productivity

• Barefoot World Atlas (iPhone / iPad) – Interactive 3D globe that allows the user to explore the regions and countries of the world.
• Day One Journal (iPhone / iPad) – A journal for your mobile device, sleek design. Syncs using iCloud or Dropbox.
• How to Cook Everything (iPhone / iPad) – A great resource for someone that learning how to cook.
• Over (iPhone / iPad) – You can add gorgeous text and artwork to photos and share them on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr & Instagram.
• Traktor DJ (iPhone / iPad) – Excellent DJ software for the iPad.

App Store Games

• Badland (iPhone / iPad) – Sidescrolling action adventure platformer, design kind of reminds me of the Oddworld games
• Infinity Blade 2 (iPhone / iPad) – Very much like the original Infinity Blade, but with added RPG elements. You need 1.1GB free, btw.
• Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP (iPhone / iPad) –  Indie adventure video game, reminds me of the 8-bit era.
• Tiny Wings (iPhone / iPad) – Combines the concept of Temple Run and the art of Braid for a relaxing, fun romp through the hills.
• Where’s My Water? (iPhone / iPad) – Created by Disney, this one is good for the kids. Lots of physics-based puzzles. Beware of in-app purchases.

Outside the Main Promotion:

• The Idiot Test 3 (iPhone) – Similar to the Moron Test, somewhat overly aggressive with the social sharing.
• Glow Puzzle (iPhone / iPad) – Puzzle game, requires logic.
• Wake n Shake Alarm Clock (iPhone) – Beautifully designed, somewhat sadistic alarm clock to help you wake up in the morning by requiring you to shake your phone.
• Knots 3D (iPhone / iPad) – Can teach you how to tie specific types of knots.
• Big Bad Soduku Book (iPhone / iPad) – Free Soduku puzzles, what’s not to like?
• Map My Ride+ (iPhone) – Great if you ride a bike and want to track a particular route.

Celebrate the App Store’s 5th Birthday with Free Apps from Apple